UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Joel Embiid will not only play Wednesday night, he will start against the Nets in his first game since Jan. 27.
The Sixers are capping Embiid between 12 and 14 minutes. His playing time will be spread out over three-minute segments throughout the game.
Brown expects Embiid to play with a fast pace, one in which he would like Embiid to slow down, because the big man will be on the court in smaller bursts.
Embiid will start with Ben Simmons, JJ Redick, Jerryd Bayless and Robert Covington as Brown trims down his rotations looking ahead to the regular season. Markelle Fultz (right knee soreness) is out.
So why not ease Embiid in off the bench given the time off since his last game?
"Because that's what we should do," Brown said of starting Embiid. "That was easy."
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Embiid underwent season-ending left knee surgery in March. He signed a five-year, $148 million contract extension on Tuesday.
"He's just scratching the surface of what I think is going to equal a chance for greatness," Brown said. "I don't use that word irresponsibly."
Watch Embiid warm up before his first preseason game:
Look who it is warming up to PLAY tonight. pic.twitter.com/mDGlAz0B6f— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoNBCS) October 11, 2017
Less than 40 minutes away from Embiid's debut!
Watch on NBC Sports Philadelphia or stream on https://t.co/bMhmrzt0pV or the NBC Sports App. pic.twitter.com/sYT3CBXei2— NBC Sports Philly (@NBCSPhilly) October 11, 2017
